FAQs • Montpelier, VT • CivicEngage

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Fire & Ambulance - Sprinklers

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1. When are sprinklers required?: Many factors come into play when determining whether sprinklers are required, including the type of use, the number of people that will occupy the space, and the type of building construction. The State of Vermont Department of Labor and Industry administers this code. For more information, contact the Department's Barre office at 802-479-4434.

2. Who can design or install sprinkler systems?: Sprinkler system designers and installers must be licensed by the State of Vermont Department of Labor and Industry. Some installers have designers working for them. You can get a list of licensed installers and designers by calling the Department of Labor and Industry at 802-479-4434 or by viewing the Vermont Department of Labor website.

3. Will I need permits?: Sprinkler system designs will need to be submitted to the Department of Labor and Industry for review and approval. The City of Montpelier also requires a building permit for sprinkler installations.

4. How much will it cost?: Cost generally range from $1.00 to $1.50 for each square foot of the area to be sprinkled. Cost could be higher depending on the particulars of the installation such as the need to integrate with architectural detail.

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Flood Guide

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1. Is my property at risk of being flooded?: If you live along or near the Winooski, North Branch, Dog, or Steven's Branch Rivers or other water course, your property may be in a floodplain. The floodplain is an area identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with a 1% chance of being flooded each year. To help you determine where your property is in relation to the floodplain, please contact the Planning Department (802) 223-9506. You can get more information about FEMA at the
FEMA Website.

2. What can I do to protect my property?

After prevention, perhaps the most important flood protection device is insurance. There are also many ways to physically protect your house, building, or property from damage due to flooding. These include elevating your building above the base flood elevation, installing closures and sealants around doors and windows, constructing new watertight walls, or constructing floodwalls or levees.

The Kellogg-Hubbard library has the following books which explain floodproofing in more detail:

Floodproofing Non-Residential Structures, FEMA, 1986.
Retrofitting Flood-prone Residential Structures, FEMA, 1986.
Design Guidelines for Flood Damage Reduction, FEMA, 1981.

You can get more information by visiting the
Kellogg-Hubbard Library website.

3. How can I purchase flood insurance?

If your property is located in the floodplain and you do not have flood insurance, talk to your insurance agent. Homeowner's insurance policies do not cover damage from floods. However, because Montpelier participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, you can purchase a separate flood insurance policy. The insurance is backed by the Federal government and is available to everyone, even for properties that have been flooded in the past.

The City of Montpelier has implemented a number of initiatives in an effort to reduce damage due to flooding. As a result, the City was able to achieve a rating of 9 through the Community Rating System (CRS) Program, which translates into a 5% reduction in flood insurance rates for the municipality as well as individual policy holders.

For more information about the National Flood Insurance Program, please visit the FEMA website.

4. How can I prevent my property from floods?

Do not dump or throw trash into ditches, streams or rivers. A plugged channel cannot carry water and when it rains the water has to go somewhere.

If your property is next to a ditch or stream, please do your part and keep the banks clear of brush and debris.

Always check with the City before you build on, alter, regrade or fill on your property.

5. What if my property is not the floodplain?: It is possible that as the shape of land changes over time or new information becomes available, properties once believed to be in the floodplain might, in fact, no longer be. For more information, please view the Flood Guide page.

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Northfield Street Reconstruction & Montpelier Paving Projects

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1. What is being done during this project?: A whole lot! There will be new water and sewer mains and services (better water pressure) sidewalk replacement and extension (you will actually be able to walk side by side with your neighbor), addition of a 5 foot bike lane (go green!), as well as street reconstruction and resurfacing (happy and healthy tires).

2. With the state paving scheduled for the fall, will the City’s reconstruction project meet up with the State project in the fall?: No, the two projects will not join together in the fall. They will however join together in the spring of 2018 when the State of Vermont’s paving contractor finishes up their contract. Paving for Northfield Street will be done in two layers. The first layer of pavement will be done in the fall of 2017. In 2018, VTrans (the State) will return to apply the 2nd course of pavement to Northfield Street. At the same time, they will cold plane off the existing pavement at the Memorial Drive Intersection and pave up to the where they had left off in 2017. Cold planing essentially grinds off the top of the existing uneven surface and leaves a solid base for new pavement to be placed on top.

3. Can you elaborate on the two different layers of pavement?: The first layer of pavement, known as the “base course” will be placed in the fall of 2017. This layer will be 3.5 inches thick and will remain for the winter. The 2nd layer, known as the “wearing course” is 1.5 inches thick and will be placed in the spring of 2018.

4. Are both paving projects being done by the State?: Yes, the State of Vermont’s paving contractor will be responsible for both paving projects.

5. What does a typical road look like now, what will it look like after reconstruction? Width of travel lane?: The current road varies from approximately 24 to 27 feet, with a typical lane width of 11-12 feet and 2-3 foot shoulders on each side. The proposed road will be 27 feet, with a typical lane width of 10 feet, a 5 foot wide bike lane on one side, and a 2 foot shoulder on the opposite side of the bike lane.

6. How wide will the sidewalk be?: The sidewalk will be 5 feet wide.

7. What are the driving detours?: Dog River Road will be designated as an alternative detour route. Motorists wishing to access the downtown area or Route 12 can use Memorial Drive. National Life Drive will also be designated as an alternative route. It is expected that traffic may use National Life Drive as detour during different phases of construction.

8. How will traffic be managed?: Northfield Street will be open to local traffic only. During construction operations, traffic will be managed by using a sign package (signs directing pedestrians as well as motorists) and traffic control flagging staff. At night the road will re-open to two-way traffic. Dog River Road will be designated as an alternative route. A uniform traffic control officer and flagging staff are expected to be needed at the Intersection of Dog River Road and the Memorial Drive access ramps. National Life Drive will also be designated as an alternative route. Traffic may use National Life Drive to access Northfield Street. We also intend to use 2 electronic signs. One will be placed at the intersection of Dog River Road and Route 12. The other will be placed at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Route 12.

9. How will property owners be able to reach their homes?: There will be one-way, alternating through traffic for home owners during the day, and traffic will be re-opened to two-way in the evening. There will be certain times where access to and from houses may be restricted. This may occur when the contractor is pouring concrete sidewalk or installing services. The contractor will either construct half of the drive at a time or they may plate over the sidewalk to create a bridge for vehicles to pass over. Notice will be given ahead of time in the event the access will be restricted and parking will be made available.

10. Will clients be able to access parking on my property?: Yes. The contractor will be responsible for maintaining access to your business. Any person seeking special accommodations for this project should contact Zach Blodgett with the Department of Public Works at zblodgett@montpelier-vt.org or call 802-223-9508.

11. Can there be on-demand lights notifying drivers that there are pedestrians at the crosswalk?: The State of Vermont was asked to include on-demand lights in the paving project, but because it does not fall within their recommended criteria, VTrans will not cover the cost associated with this. Therefore, the City is looking into how to do this.

12. From what time to what time, and how many days a week will the reconstruction take place?: The typical construction day is expected to take place Monday through Saturday from 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Work may occur until 9:00 PM per the City Noise ordinance.

13. How will traffic be affected on Derby Drive?: It is unknown at this time how detouring traffic will affect Derby Drive.

14. What about the big, heavy trucks? Will those go on Derby drive?: Yes, big and heavy trucks will be allowed to travel on Derby Drive. Truck traffic may still choose to use the Dog River Road alternative route.

15. How much is the bike lane costing the city? Will it be on both sides of the street?: There will only be one bike lane in the up-hill lane heading south. Heading north, the travel lane will be marked for bicyclists to share the lane with motorists. The exact cost of the bike lane is unknown. There are some minor road alignments and stormwater upgrades that are necessary to fit the bike lane. It is estimated that the cost of the bike lane is approximately $25,000. (Estimate does not include costs for road re-alignment/widening or storm water permits)

16. Explain temporary water line.: The temporary water line provides residents with water until the new water main can be tested and put into operation. The temporary water line will be an 8 foot line that will be laid on top of the ground and dug underneath driveways for residents to maintain access. Additionally there will be a short section of 1 inch temporary line needed to provide water to some customers.

17. How will water pressure be affected? Will the new system’s pressure make the old pipes at Independence Green/Colonial Drive burst?: Water pressure will be significantly better during periods of high flow such as hydrant flushing. The old pipes at Independence Green and Colonial Drive should not be affected.

18. Will we be without water service? For how long?: Water service may be out for a few hours at a time. Unless there is an emergency, property owners will have at least 24 hour notice.

19. While we’re doing this project, can we put utility/power lines underground?: No. That would be a multi-year, multi-million dollar project. For more information on this, contact Tom McArdle, Director of Public Works at tmcardle@montpelier-vt.org.

20. Why can’t we put conduits underground so that we can put the power lines underground in the future?: No conduits will be placed underground without final design plans. This has been done in the past and they were not used, so we will not place anything down for potential future use.

21. What will the pedestrian route look like?: The contractor will provide the detour. The detour will be in accordance with ADA requirements. The exact locations of the pedestrian detour are unknown at this time. The pedestrian detour will likely change throughout the project as different construction operations occur. There will be signs with instructions to pedestrians who are traveling through or around the construction area.

22. Will the pedestrian detour be far from Northfield Street?: No, the pedestrian detour will be on Northfield Street. The contractor will have to maintain access throughout the construction site.

23. What will be done about stormwater management/treatment?: Our engineering design consultant is currently looking into ways to manage/treat stormwater. A state stormwater permit is necessary, so it is expected that there will be a few areas where stormwater will be treated. Exact locations are unknown at this point. Additionally, a crown in the roadway will be re-created, allowing for the stormwater to get to curb line and collected by a catch basin. There are new catch basins that will be installed as part of this project.

24. Are there any eminent domain issues?: No, there are no issues with eminent domain.

25. The current sidewalk has been eaten up by vegetation, what will be done to prevent it from happening this time?: An annual inspection of the stormwater system will be required for state permitting and the sidewalk will be included in this inspection. Any maintenance items will be noted and corrected.

26. The slope near the T.W. Wood house is causing rocks and debris to go onto the road/sidewalk. What will be done about this? Retaining wall?: A site visit was conducted with the State of Vermont Geotechnical Engineering Section and an evaluation was provided to the City. It was recommended that a chain link fence be installed immediately to prevent further rocks/debris from entering the sidewalk (This work has already been completed). Additionally it was noted that trees should be cut along the slope to prevent further damage from occurring. We are currently working on lining up a contractor to perform this work. Work should be complete in the next few weeks. For the long term course of action, it was recommended that a consultant who specializes in rock slope stability conduct an in-depth rock stability analysis to determine the most appropriate and cost effective remediation. This work will be completed after the Northfield Street reconstruction project. The fence will remain until further assessment and action can be taken.

27. Where will the crosswalks be?: Crosswalk locations will include: The midblock crossing near 56 Northfield Street, Derby Drive, Both Colonial Drives, and a future crosswalk at independence green.

28. When will there be a sidewalk extending to Freedom Drive?: We have already secured funding through grants for this project, which will begin in 2018. Woohoo!

29. Will any trees be removed? Pine tree by crosswalk?: This is something we are looking into. There is one tree that we believe should be removed and this is something to be discussed with the property owner.

30. How high are the retaining walls? What are they made of?: Currently the city is looking into options to avoid having to install the retaining walls. If needed, the retaining walls will be between 3 and 4.5 feet in height.

31. Gravel and rock from driveways spill down Northfield Street to Prospect Street during storm events. What can be done about this?: This is really up to property owners to manage the gravel and rock from their driveways. The city is looking into roadway re-alignment to minimize the construction of the new walls.

32. Where will the staging area be?: The staging will be the responsibility of the contractor. If the contractor would like to use private property, they must make arrangement with individual property owners.

33. Already, it’s difficult to drive up/down Northfield Street during winter storm, what will we do with the narrower roads?: Much of the difficultly that is experienced with driving Northfield Street in the winter, is due to poor condition of the roadway. Due to extremely poor condition, it makes it virtually impossible for public works crews to perform effective winter operations. Once the road is re-surfaced it should make it much easier for public works crews to keep and maintain the width during the winter.

34. Why are we using concrete on some stretches of sidewalk, and asphalt on other?: We followed the current zoning regulations which have the concrete sidewalk transitioning to asphalt at the Derby/ Colonial Intersection. The zoning regulations define the areas along a particular street that should have sidewalk and specify the material that it should be constructed of. We considered extending the concrete sidewalk to southern most Colonial Drive intersection, but the cost was too high based on the budget numbers that we have.

35. Will we be reusing granite curbing?: We will reuse granite as much as we can. Reusing the existing granite curb will save money when you compare it to the price to purchase and deliver new granite curb.

36. How will we receive communication?: Communication with our residents is a top priority for these projects. We’re working with Natalie Boyle of EIV Technical Services who will be the project outreach coordinator consultant for the project. Her role is to act as a project liaison between the public, contractors, field personnel and any third parties who may be involved in the project. Natalie will be sending e-mail updates to local businesses, and will provide Weekly Construction Updates on her website (see Important Links). In addition, Montpelier Alive will be working closely with the Montpelier Business Association to provide information to local business. The public can also visit the Department of Public Works’ website for updates and sign up for notifications via our Notify Me system. City of Montpelier staff are committed to offering reliable information to the public regarding project updates and notices.

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Parking Meters

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1. I loved my cash key! Why couldn’t there be a cash key function on these new meters?: Cash Keys were an awesome technology developed by the previous vendor prior to the prevalence of credit and debit card enabled meters. However, it has become an outdated technology. The new meters allow anyone with a credit or debit card to pay for parking without having to remember to carry around change. I don’t know about you, but there have been many times where I’ve had to park and haven’t had change! Do not fret, though! The new meters will still accept nickels, dimes and quarters for quick trips to pick up your burrito from Mad Taco (I’m already thinking about lunch)!

2. What if I don’t want to use a credit or debit card?: You certainly don’t have to use a credit or debit card. The new meters will take change. That reminds me – I have to put some change in my car’s cup holder!

3. Why is there a minimum payment of $2.00 on the credit card, anyway?: Like any credit card transaction, the city is charged a pesky transaction fee of .13 per transaction. Because the amounts are small relative to the transaction fee (.25 per 15 minutes), it is fiscally responsible to try and limit those transaction fees. This has been standard practice of the city at its parking kiosks, and that policy is continuing on single space meters.

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Restorative Justice

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1. What is Restorative Justice?: The idea of bringing together a victim of a crime and the person who committed that crime is based on age-old values of justice, accountability, and restoration. The United Nations Working Group on Restorative Justice defines it as: "A process whereby parties with a stake in a particular offense resolve collectively to deal with the aftermath of the offense and its implications for the future."

2. What is the difference between Restorative Justice and our traditional legal system?

Traditionally when a crime is committed, the justice system has been primarily concerned with three questions:

1- Who did it?
2- What laws were broken?
3- What should be done to punish or treat the offender?
This type of approach is considered retributive, where the intent is to get retribution or punishment for an offense committed.

Restorative Justice programs emphasize different questions:

1- Who has been harmed?
2- What is the nature of the harm resulting from the crime?
3- What needs to be done to "make it right" or repair the harm?
4- Who is responsible for this repair?
The intent is to restore the victim and community affected by the crime as close as possible to pre-crime conditions.

3. Why is it called Restorative Justice? Who Is being restored?: Restorative Justice focuses on harm to victims and community. By working collaboratively with victims, offenders and community members to repair the harm, Restorative Justice aims to restore relationships that have been broken by the offense. Restorative Justice recognizes that it is not always possible to replace what a victim lost in the commission of the offense—the goal is to settle the matter as much as possible. In the process, it aims to restore the offender to a law-abiding life, and restore the damage caused by the offense to the community.

4. How widespread is Restorative Justice?: The initial conceptualization of Restorative Justice began in the late 1970s, largely in North America. In 1996 New Zealand adopted legislation mandating the use of restorative practices in young offender cases. Many jurisdictions, including Canada, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and European countries have adopted Restorative Justice programs.

5. How effective are Restorative Justice processes?: Research has shown that victims who meet with those who have offended against them are far more likely to be satisfied with the justice system's response to their case than those who go though the normal justice process; that after meeting the offender, victims are significantly less fearful of being re-victimized; that offenders who meet with their victims are far more likely to complete their restitution obligation to the victim; and those who complete a Restorative Justice process are less likely to reoffend than those who don’t.

6. Can Restorative Justice be used in serious cases?: Restorative Justice has the potential to meet needs that are not currently being met by the traditional justice system. The need for reconciliation and healing exists for all offenses, regardless of their severity. In fact, the experience of Restorative Justice often seems to be more meaningful for offenders, victims and community members when it involves a more serious case and the loss to the victim is more profound.

7. Is Restorative Justice "soft on crime"?: In the traditional justice system, offenders are not required to accept responsibility for their actions and are not held accountable. Many offenders proceed though the system with a lawyer who speaks on their behalf. Restorative Justice offers a more demanding, active and clear opportunity for offenders to hold themselves directly accountable to the victim and the community they have harmed. Rather than being soft on crime, Restorative Justice requires the person who committed the offense to behave more responsibly by making amends to the victim and community. The human consequences of the offender's behavior are dealt with more directly though Restorative Justice than they are in the current criminal justice system.

8. Isn't it simpler just to go to court?: It may appear to be simpler to go to court. However, the Restorative Justice process allows you to repair the harm that you've caused to the community and to the victim. By taking responsibility for your actions and repairing the harm to the best of your ability, you are able to hold your head up knowing that you have done what you could to make things better.

9. What if the victim does not want to participate in a Restorative Justice process?: Participation in programs is completely voluntary for all participants. One of the primary goals of Restorative Justice is to increase victims’ satisfaction in the system by giving them an active role in the justice process. Every effort will therefore be made to provide victims with the information, preparation and support they need in order to participate in a Restorative Justice process. But some victims may not want to participate. In such cases a Restorative Justice process could still be held with others participating in the victim's place. For example, affected parties such as a family member or a member of the community in which the incident took place could talk about the impact the crime has had on them.

10. Is Restorative Justice appropriate for "victimless" crimes?: Certain offenses, such as drug offenses, while being so-called "victimless" crimes, do have a dramatic effect on an entire community. In cases such as this, Restorative Justice Panel members represent the community in general and speak about the effects the crime has had on the community.

11. How is "community" defined for the purposes of Restorative Justice?: Community is defined as the "community of the incident": family members, key support people, and significant others for each party who have been affected by the offense. The community members in a Restorative Justice process will be specific to that particular case but tend to focus on where the incident occurred.

12. Do lawyers participate?: Parties referred to Restorative Justice are encouraged to consult with attorneys if they wish. However, attorneys do not typically participate in the Restorative Justice process.

13. What are some CJC Restorative Justice programs?

Restorative Justice Panels are made up of volunteers trained in restorative practices who meet with people who have committed offenses and their victims and supporters, if any, to have a conversation about what happened and what the offender can do to deepen his or her understanding of the harm, make amends to those who need it, make a positive connection with community and make a plan to not reoffend. The person who offended makes an agreement with the Panel and has two to three months to complete what s/he has agreed to do. This is different from Community Sentencing in that the process is collaborative and all must agree to the outcome.

Circles of Support and Accountability (COSAs) are groups of three volunteers and a staff person who work with someone (a “core member”) who is returning to his or her community from prison on what is called “conditional furlough” status. The core member has completed his or her minimum sentence but still has at least a year to serve before reaching his or her maximum. Conditional furlough has been described as “incarceration within the community” since the core member is still under Department of Corrections supervision and can be returned to prison if s/he violates the rules set forth in the written furlough.

Family Group Conferences engage a group of participants that includes the support people for both the victim and the offender, relevant professionals and a facilitator. All participants have an opportunity to talk about the offense, to express their feelings and concerns, and to get answers to their questions. All participants can also express opinions on how the offender should make amends. Many times the resulting agreement includes activities not only for the person who offended, but also commitments by supporters and family members to do what they can to help the offender stay on the right path and complete his or her agreement.

Community Conflict Assistance is offered free of charge to members of the community by mediators who help to resolve neighbor disputes over things like property boundaries, animal complaints, noise and other neighborhood issues. Mediators are neutral parties who work with those in dispute to help them arrive at a mutually agreeable solution to the problem.

Restorative Victim Services provide community-based emotional support and resource navigation to victims of property crimes, in the immediate aftermath of the event. Victims are invited to participate in all restorative justice programs to the extent that they feel comfortable.

14. Do victims have to participate?: Victim participation is entirely voluntary. However, Restorative Justice is about bringing the offender, victim and community together in dialogue. It allows victims to hear what was going through the offender's mind at the time of the incident and what he or she has thought about since. Victims are encouraged to tell the story of how the incident affected them and ask questions of the offender to get information to help understand just what happened.

15. What is expected of victims?: Victims can participate fully by doing an intake interview with an MCJC representative and by attending the Restorative Justice Panel meetings, or partially by appointing a representative or telling their story to a staff person who may relay it to Panel members and the person who offended.

16. What kinds of things are appropriate to ask for to “repair harm”?: To be “made whole” can mean restitution (e.g., to cover repairs), to request more information from the offender (e.g., asking, “Why did you choose my house?”), an apology — written or verbal — or service directly for the victim or at a community service site. A staff person asks victims about their needs and expectations ahead of time and help them to think about what is possible.